ACER announces new Research Division Heads

Media release

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release 21 October 2010ACER announces new Research Division Heads

The Chief Executive of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) Professor Geoff Masters today announced the appointment of two senior educational researchers who will head newly-established ACER research divisions.

The new appointments are Dr Sue Thomson who becomes Head of ACER’s Educational Monitoring and Research Division and Dr Khoo Siek Toon who becomes Acting Head of ACER’s Assessment and Psychometric Research Division.

In announcing the new appointments Professor Masters said, ‘I have great pleasure in announcing the appointment of these two outstanding researchers to lead major areas of ACER’s work. Dr Thomson and Dr Khoo have strong international reputations in their respective research fields and bring a wealth of expertise and experience to their new roles. I look forward to working closely with them as they lead our research effort.’

Dr Thomson has a distinguished research career, specialising in the study of how and why countries and education systems differ in their educational outputs and performances. The new Educational Monitoring and Research Division that she will lead consists of almost 70 staff undertaking research and development in the areas of national surveys, international surveys, higher education, student transitions, policy analysis, program evaluation, teaching, learning and leadership. Last financial year, the division undertook externally-funded research and development worth more than $20 million.

Dr Khoo also has a distinguished research career, specialising in the development and implementation of quantitative research methods in education. Dr Khoo is an international authority in student growth modelling. The new Assessment and Psychometric Research Division that she will lead consists of more than 70 staff undertaking research and development in the areas of psychometrics, quantitative research methods, assessment and reporting in the humanities and social sciences and in mathematics and science, and system-wide testing. Last financial year, the division undertook externally-funded research and development worth more than $14 million. Dr Khoo becomes Acting Head of Division until a permanent appointment is made.

In making these announcements Professor Masters paid tribute to Dr John Ainley who retired earlier this year after a decade leading ACER’s entire research effort. Dr Ainley continues with ACER in a part-time capacity as Principal Research Fellow.

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